In the first post of this series —
Policing at a Turning Point – Innovation, Reform and the Road Ahead — we explored how UK policing faces a pivotal moment of transformation, driven by reform, new technologies, and strategic priorities outlined in the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC)
Policing Problem Book.
This second installment focuses on digital evidence, identified by the NPCC as the #1 policing challenge for 2026. Digital evidence now appears in around 90% of investigations, making effective capture, management, and analysis essential to operational efficiency, evidential quality, and successful prosecutions.
Progress to Date: DEMS Adoption
Over the past eight years, nearly every force across England and Wales has implemented a Digital Evidence Management System (DEMS). In fact, as early as 2022, NiCE’s DEMS was supporting
over four million investigations, handling millions of digital evidence items.
It’s an undisputed fact that modern DEMS have transformed workflows. Officers no longer need to travel to collect CCTV or physical media, and automated evidence requests (combined with the ability to make video footage immediately viewable, regardless of format) is speeding up investigations. One officer noted: “Gone are the days of officers travelling back and forth to retrieve CCTV. Modern systems mean footage is immediately accessible, which saves time and helps us build stronger cases faster.”
The impact is measurable. One force estimated that by automating the evidence request process, it has saved an hour of administrative work per request, while another reported £846,000 in annual officer time savings through automated ingestion and case-building. These efficiencies not only save time and resources, but also enhance evidential quality and strengthen prosecution outcomes.
Bridging Technology, Skills, and Process
While DEMS have dramatically improved evidence management, forces still face broader operational challenges. These are not limitations of the technology itself, but reflect the realities of workforce capacity, officer awareness, and investigative skill. Officers cannot request or secure evidence they are unaware exists, and managing large volumes of digital material can strain resources and processes.
Effectively addressing these challenges requires more than simply deploying technology. It relies on the intersection of technology, skills, and process. To address this, the UK’s College of Policing has introduced three new courses (Digital Investigators Foundation, Wi‑Fi Technology and Evidence, and Connected Vehicles), giving officers the practical skills they need to identify, request, and handle digital evidence correctly for court.
As Sarra Fotheringham, Policing Standards Manager (Cyber Crime) at the College of Policing, explains: “Digital evidence is now part of almost every investigation, but without the right training, crucial evidence can be missed or compromised. These courses give officers the practical skills they need to investigate effectively in the digital age — understanding what evidence exists and knowing how to handle it properly for court.”
In parallel, the NiCE User Group (
NUG) brings together forces and stakeholders to share best practice, real-world learnings, and national insights. By combining shared knowledge, guidance, and experience, the NUG helps forces apply technology efficiently, optimise processes, and continuously improve outcomes.
Together, these initiatives support a truly
holistic approach to digital evidence management, where technology, skills, and processes work in concert to deliver faster, more effective investigations.
Looking Ahead
Digital evidence will continue to grow in both volume and complexity. By combining the right skills, modernised processes, and advanced technology, forces can accelerate investigations, reduce manual workload, improve evidential quality, support victims more effectively, and ultimately strengthen justice outcomes.
As one investigative lead observed: “Having access to both the technology and the knowledge to use it effectively makes a real difference. It’s not just about having the system — it’s about knowing how to integrate it into everyday workflows and investigative decisions.”
Coming up Next
Look out for the next installment in this series —
Part 3: Public Contact in the Control Room — where we’ll explore how forces can manage workload more effectively. This blog will focus on the role of AI agents and workforce management (WFM) in improving efficiency and service for the public.
